ARTISTIC PHILOSOPHY
Artistic Philosophy for Post Modern Art in a Modern World : by Ray Rum
I only paint that which I must. There are things I am compelled to attempt to capture through the muse of oils and canvas. I enjoy painting quickly and with the music of my choice (usually Lenard Cohen’s early work these days), utilizing a northern exposure in my Arizona studio. In my place in Carmel, I enjoy an eastern light and the cool sea breeze.
I paint only on weekends, usually about four hour sessions during the morning hours. My weekdays are fully committed to my philanthropic endeavors. I paint in the mornings as by the afternoon I am too full of angst ,self loathing and anger at the world to be in a truly creative flow. I prepare my canvas with dark gesso color and use several layers of paint to obtain a textured feel to my painting. The heavy texture best reflects the heaviness of the post modern human condition. I use a primary palate of white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, payne grey, aquamarine blue, cadmium orange light naples yellow and olive green. I use this palette to cover the range of darkness and the dim light of human emotion. I use large canvases usually 3 feet by four feet, or three by five feet. The size of the paintings reflects the escalating scale of the need these days to escape reality through artistic expression. I choose my subjects from people I know and often times from photos in magazines. I find a good range of subjects in GQ, Esquire and the Harvard Business Review.
Influences:
Modigliani, Van Gough, Picasso, VanDongen, Jackie Fenlon* & Ancient Incan Art.
*Editors note = Jackie Fenlon was my mentally challenged thirty something Aunt who would harshly criticize and physically attack me and my siblings for coloring outside the lines of coloring books often while eating raw hotdogs (at times a whole pack in one sitting) in my early childhood. She worked for the City of Chicago for over 20 years, but was actually very mentally challenged. Her long career at the City of Chicago can be attributed to the progressive attitude displayed in Chicago in the mid 60s or perhaps more precisely the Fenlon family’s deep political connections to then Mayor Daley. My parents often used her as a sitter while they were binging on Lancers wine. Through Aunt Jackie harsh critics I managed to develop a thick skin for criticism and a lack of regard for coloring within the lines. Thank you Aunt Jackie !